The Mythological Hero In Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien was very fond of mythology, especially Norse and Irish Mythology, and used concepts and conventions of both throughout his works. Throughout mythology there is the ever-reoccurring theme of the epic hero, whose being is ever out of the readers reach. Tolkien represents the epic hero primarily through the Kingly Edain character Aragorn. There is, however, the fairytale myth as well, which features the small hero who is a mere common person placed in extraordinary circumstances. The Fairytale hero is best represented in The Lord of the Rings, by the hobbit Frodo. Tolkien also uses the concept of “The Hero and His Sword” throughout the story and throughout his other tales of Middle Earth; however, he only uses bits and pieces, while primarily creating his heroes from his own imagination.

Aragorn is the last descendent of a long line of kings. He is not immortal or descended from the gods like many heroes of Greek, Roman, and Norse Mythology; however, he does have immortal ancestry, even though it is not immediate. It must however be traced back through many generations. Unlike many of the famous heroes he is not conceived by divine interventio

Aragorn and Frodo seem to share the role of the main character of the story. Each, through out, take turns drawing off of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and though they are separated Tolkien still has each take on the character of the other as though they are still in each other’s presence. Aragorn though mostly above the normal persons comprehension, becomes more like the common every day person with his love for Arwen, in that most people will do things no matter how foolish or risky out of love. Frodo also takes on epic qualities as he makes his journey in to the shadowy depths of Mordor, much like Aeneas making his trip into the underworld. Frodo takes what befalls him along the way with the utmost courage, and seems to draw from an inner strength few can realize drawing from themselves. Frodo as the fairytale hero serves to draw attention to Aragorn’s epic qualities by Frodo’s sheer awe of his lack of comprehension of Aragorn’s high stature, which to him is, but something of long ago but not forgotten times long before his time. Aragorn’s high stature also helps the reader to realize more fully how Frodo is just a common person like them, thus helping them identify themselves better with Frodo. Aragorn’s journey is from darkness into light, while Frodo’s is from light into darkness and back out again.

n or by supernatural means either. Unlike Arthur or the Irish hero Cuchulainn, who are born by supernatural means, Arthur by Merlin allowing Arthur’s father Uther to seduce Arthur’s mother in the form of her husband who was already dead at the time, and Cuchulainn conceived by a mortal woman and the Irish god Lugh, Aragorn is descended from the union of the immortal elf Idril and the mortal man Tuor (Flieger 43-44.) Aragorn is not easily identified with, having such a high and unheard of heritage. The men of Rohan and Gondor also have trouble believing him, as they are not able to comprehend his story, since they are but common men compared to Aragorn and he is but thing out of their past seemingly long since gone. Tolkien hoping to provide realism to the story, introduces Aragorn to the audience as Strider, a more believable character, in that he is a personification of the American Western folktales’ “Stranger in Town” heroes, tough, dangerous, quiet, and a loner (42-44.) Tolkien doing this, allows the audience to learn to accept Aragorn as Strider before he reveals Aragorn’s more extraordinary being. Only after the audience is comfortable with Strider does Tolkien reveal that he is the last descendent of the Long-living kings of Arnor and Gondor (44.)

Aragorn also represents the romantic hero, in that he is questing not only for a kingdom but for his queen, Arwen, as well. I

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